Binge DrinkingBinge Drinking

Chloe Ralley and Rebekah Estaugh

IntroductionIntroduction

“Drinking alcoholic beverages with the primary intention of becoming intoxicated by heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time”

Because of the different long term effects of using alcohol, it is now considered to be a major public health issue

Background ResearchBackground ResearchResearch has found that Britain's teenagers

are among the heaviest drinkers within Europe.

A survey by the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) found that 26% of boys and 29% of girls from 15 to 16 years of age in the UK had indulged in binge drinking at least three times in the previous month.

Binge drinking – youth’s attitudesBinge drinking – youth’s attitudes

Reasons for drinking and expectations of effect reported by 15-16 year olds (2007):◦It’s really fun (76%)◦I feel more sociable (65%)◦I feel happy/relaxed (51% each)◦I forget my problems (41%)

Media coverageMedia coverageThere has been a large amount of

media coverage in last 5-10 yearsThe news often tells stories of

incidents due to binge drinking involving teenagers

Media coverage also looks into the risks of binge drinking and the effects it might have

Risks of Binge Drinking Risks of Binge Drinking

Alcohol PoisoningChanges in physical attributesLack of concentrationLoss of inhibitionDepressantPoor motor skills

Binge drinking in the media - Binge drinking in the media - Jason, 18Jason, 18When drink driving, he lost control of car and

smashed it into a tree, causing himself serious injury "We had all been out until about three in the morning

when we got a taxi home. First thing in the morning, my friend called me and asked me to pick him up because he was stuck in Swansea. On the way back we stopped off to talk to some people we knew and then started heading back. Then about fifty yards from my house, all I can remember is my friend shouting that we were on the grass verge. After that it is a blank.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/rsod/stories/3.shtml

Binge drinking in the mediaBinge drinking in the media17-year-old Matthew Cryer died in Zante

in August 2008 from a heart attack after drinking too much alcohol

In April 2009, Lorna May from Newquay died after binge drinking at a party

18 year-old Dale Whitfield was put on a life-support machine after a drink-fuelled attack left him with massive head injuries. He did not survive

Societal attitudesSocietal attitudes “I know raising teenagers can be extremely tough,

but my concern is that vast numbers of British parents seem to have just given up trying.” Professor Martin Plant

“So, we go out and get trashed every weekend? So what? It's our bodies and we are old enough to understand the health risks. Stop patronising us and mind your own business!”

“Do nothing. At the moment 'binge drinking' is trendy. The more the media go on about it, the more young people will do it. Shut up about the whole subject and in 12 months time it will no longer be an issue.”

Societal attitudesSocietal attitudes

“It's not the fault of pubs and shops selling alcohol to kids, it's society itself. The media portrays you cannot have a good night out or be part of the gang unless you drink. Even if you enforce licensing laws more it won't make a difference. If kids want to get their hands on alcohol they will.”

“Is this not a fault of society? I reckon if binge drinking wasn't so prevalent among adults then it wouldn't be so widespread in children.”

Societal attitudesSocietal attitudes

“If teenagers had viable alternatives to drinking in bars the problem would be reduced. The Government must take an active hand in developing more cultural activities for young and old people. Teenagers whose parents visit art galleries rather than sit in the pub are more likely to follow suit.”

“Give teenagers something else to do on a Friday and Saturday night and binge drinking will die. At the moment there's nothing else for the average teenager to do at the weekend.”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/4094665.stm

Critical reflectionsCritical reflections

Media is selective with what it portrays about alcohol

There are a wide variety of societal attitudes that cover a range of valid arguments

Societal attitudes rarely look into the deeper roots of the issue